New Delhi. Has India started looking for an alternative to Rohit Sharma? Such indications have been received after losing the series to New Zealand. 37-year-old Rohit failed miserably against New Zealand. He was able to score only 91 runs in 6 innings. Rohit Sharma's form, fitness, and age probably forced the BCCI to identify a player who not only opens but can also handle captaincy.

The India vs Australia series is to be played from November 22. Two players were sent to Australia several days before the departure of the Indian team for this series. These players are KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel. Both these players are included in the Indian team selected for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Despite this, both of them were included in the India A team so that they could play the second unofficial test match against Australia A.

At first glance, the reason for sending KL
Rahul and Dhruv Jurel ahead of the rest of the team are believed to be familiarising themselves with the pitches of Australia. But if this was the only reason, then youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan would also have been included in India A. This did not happen and the reason for this is clear. The cricket board is planning something different for KL Rahul, which is a little different from the rest.

Why only KL Rahul was supported?
Among the senior players, why was only KL Rahul sent to Australia first? The reason is clear. The team management has been backing Rahul since the time of coach Rahul Dravid. To keep him in the team, he was played as a wicketkeeper-batsman. After Sarfaraz's 150-run innings, Rahul's place at number five or six has become uncertain. Whereas Rahul is such a player whom the board keeps in the race for captaincy. Especially in ODIs and Test matches.

If Rohit Sharma leaves the captaincy or has to be removed
If Rohit Sharma leaves the Test format after failing in the Australia series or the board decides to remove him, then he does not have any captaincy option who can be a part of the playing eleven in every situation. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill are contenders for the captaincy. But it is difficult for Ashwin and Bumrah to play in every match. Pant is returning from injury and the board would like to avoid giving him a big responsibility too soon. Giving captaincy to Gill may also be too early. That is why the team management is supporting KL Rahul. If he can secure a place in the team as an opener, then he will also become a strong contender for the captaincy.